IREG Update July 2019

IREG met on the 10th July 2019 and discussed the following MRA Issue Forms (MIFs) and Electricity Central Online Enquiry Service (ECOES) changes.

MIF219 – Full review of the Working Practice Product Set (WPPS)

IREG received an update of the progress of the review. IREG noted the further analysis carried out on the remaining Working Practices and agreed to continue the review. It noted that there were still Working Practices (WPs) that could be removed from the WPPS due to redundancy. As such it agreed that the two (2) re-drafted Change Proposals (CP) could progress to MDB.

MIF281 – Crossed Meters

IREG noted the final version of the drafted MRA Agreed Procedure (MAP) for the Resolution of Crossed Meters and highlighted that some of the detail in respect of ECOES usage would need to be developed before the solution could progress to a CP. IREG were provided with an update from the ex-committee workshop that took place between the ECOES Technical Service Provider (TSP), the Proposer, Gemserv and interested IREG members. IREG were advised that another workshop would take place prior to the August 2019 IREG meeting and expect to be able to present screenshots of how the ECOES element of the solution would work.

MIF283 – ECOES Upload to Distribution Third Party Systems

IREG received an update on the progress of MIF283 with the ECOES TSP. IREG noted that the ECOES TSP was expecting to deliver the new process for User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for 2nd September 2019 and that the solution is planned to go live in the November 2019 release. IREG were advised that any Distribution Businesses that wished to take part in the testing phase should email IREG@Gemserv.com expressing their interest.

MIF288 – Industry Contacts Database

IREG were advised that the MRASCo Board had approved funding for the upgrade to the MRASCo Industry Contacts Database at their last meeting. It was highlighted that UAT for the service was scheduled to begin on the 13th August 2019 and that any MRA parties wishing to take part in testing should email the IREG mailbox IREG@Gemserv.com expressing their interest. IREG noted that there would have to be a data cleanse of the existing information held, due to the new design of the data, prior to implementation.

MIF294 – Suppliers can require New Connection registrations, without a Meter installed, to be cancelled

The Proposer advised IREG that the issue had been presented to the Supplier Volume Allocation Group (SVG) at their last meeting and the group believed that the issue should be governed within the BSC Procedures (BCSPs). It was noted that the Proposer had been drafting a strawman solution which would be presented to SVG and progressed through the BSC Change Process.

MIF296 – Review of the Non-Domestic Customer Access to ECOES

IREG were presented with initial volumetric data which confirmed the number of NDC’s that currently had access to Meter Point Administration Numbers (MPANs) in ECOES. IREG noted that there would be more data presented to the group at the August 2019 meeting with a breakdown of how many MPANs each of these NDCs had access to. The Group noted the figures and discussed the issues and risks that had been identified with the current process. Gemserv agreed to map out the current end to end process for NDCs obtaining access to ECOES and present at the next meeting.

The Proposer advised that this issue had been raised after discussions at the previous two IREG meetings on MIF278 and the wider issues with the D0268 Data Flow. IREG noted that there had been an attempt to make changes to the Data Flow in 2018 but the Proposer withdrew the CP. IREG were informed that MIF299 looked to build on the solution listed in DTC CP 3528 in order to resolve issues with interoperability following the implementation of BSC Modification P272 by adding additional Data Items to the D0268 Data Flow.

IREG discussed solution options drafted by the AMO which built upon the previous versions and considered by AM members. The group raised questions on the additional options which could be included in the Valid Set. It was suggested that an alternative solution could be to mirror the structure of D0313 Data Flow, IREG agreed that this was a valid suggestion and the Proposer agreed that they would raise a Solutions Pre Assessment Form (SPF) and circulate to industry in order to gauge the opinion of all parties engaged with the D0268 Data Flow.

Safeguarding Customer Working Group Update

IREG received a verbal update from the previous Safeguarding Customer Working Group (SGCWG) highlighting,

DTC CP 3566 – Refining the list of valid codes for the J1699. This change was accepted at MDB 19_0627 with an implementation date of 27th February 2020. The associated SPAA change went to the SPAA Change Board on Tuesday 14th May and has been assigned the reference SCP 471. It was issued out for a 30 WD consultation on 11th June 2019. Impact Assessment responses are due back on 25th July and the SPAA Change Board Vote will take place on 13th August 2019. The proposed implementation date is February 2020. A high-level testing design document has been shared with SCWG members for comments and agreement.

The next SCWG meeting has been proposed for 17th July. The agenda items will include a review of the third-party service providers’ proposals for mapping MPANs to the relevant water company serving that property. It is anticipated that a final decision will be made to enable the chosen company to start building the system. Weekly contact continues by the joint leads of the project. The next full Joint Programme Board has been proposed for 22nd July, to review progress of all sectors/participants. The energy sector is continuing to work with water companies to achieve the targets set out by Ofgem of sharing PSR data by April 2020. WPD has been approached by individual water companies to visit our offices and observe our PSR process and interaction with customers when responding to PSR requirements.

Secure Communications

IREG were advised that discussions are on-going with the TSP in respect of running a workshop to outline how the solution will work and to clarify any questions. IREG considered the development of the User Requirement Specification (URS) for the solution and agreed that this should be developed as a new separate version to the current ECOES version. IREG noted that the Change Proposals for the MRA and SPAA are out for Impact Assessment and that the access arrangements are being developed through MEC.

Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for 14th August 2019.

MDB Update: June 2019

4th July 2019

MDB was held on 27th June 2019. The table below shows the Change Proposals, voting outcomes and implementation dates.